ACADEMIC ADVISINGRingling College of Art and Design offers a comprehensive advising program with professional Academic Advisors who are knowledgeable about the degree programs and requirements, academic policies and procedures and academic resources. The Academic Advising System is developmental and combines personal, academic and career counseling. International student advising involving immigration rules and regulations is also handled out of this office.

The Academic Advisors see students on a walk-in basis or by appointment or you can email questions to them. They will help you plan your course schedule, help you track your progress towards your degree and talk with you about educational planning, changing majors, and choosing a concentration or a minor. You can also get help with time management, discuss instructor conflict concerns, learn about institutional policies and procedures, get help with grade reviews, and probation issues. If you are interested in off-campus study opportunities, they can help you apply for the study abroad or Mobility programs.

Basically, if you have a concern or a question and you’re not sure where to go, talking to your Academic Advisor is a good place to start. Your Advisor is knowledgeable about all the services and resources available on campus and can refer you to the right place.

Student ResponsibilitiesThe Ringling College of Art and Design Advising staff is committed to offering high quality advising and support services to help you succeed academically at the institution. You, the student, have responsibilities too if you want to be successful in your academic career at Ringling College. Your responsibilities include:

Knowing your academic goals.

Reading the Student Handbook and understanding the academic policies, procedures and requirements.

Attending all classes and completing assignments on time.

Checking and answering your Ringling College of Art and Design email daily.

Checking your Ringling College of Art and Design campus mailbox twice a week.

Reading the daily announcements on the Ringling College of Art and Design Portal.

Knowing the Academic Calendar. Do not miss deadlines. Know when

Drop/Add ends; when to register for classes; when the last day to drop a class is, etc.

Scheduling courses that are consistent with your educational goals and that will meet degree requirements. Read the course selection guide.

Saving personal copies of your degree audit reports and comparing them with your transcript for accuracy.

Meeting with your Advisor when your Advisor requests a meeting with you.

Asking for help when you know you are having difficulties and following through with recommendations for assistance.

Accepting responsibility for making final decisions on academic choices.

Changing Your MajorChange of Major forms are available in the Office of Advising, Records, and Registration Services. They must be signed by an academic advisor and department head for the student's prospective major. Admission to majors with limited space is decided on a competitive basis with incoming transfer students. Students must declare a major during the first semester of their first year. Changing the major after completing the first year will incur an additional year of study.

Off-Campus Study OpportunitiesThe academic advisors in the Office of Advising, Records and Registration Services must approve all off-campus study opportunities. Study abroad brochures, summer school information, mobility applications, and curriculum approvals are available through the Office of Advising, Records, and Registration Services. A minimum of 45 semester hours of studio and art history courses, to include the last year of the B.F.A. program, must be taken at Ringling College of Art and Design.

New York Studio Fine Arts Program [NYSP]Ringling College offers junior and senior Fine Arts students the opportunity to study and live in New York City for one semester. Entrance into the program is granted upon successful completion and review of departmental application materials. Senior Fine Arts students are restricted to participation in the fall semester only. The Fine Arts faculty reviews applicants and four students are selected to participate each year. This program is directed toward mature students who are self-motivated, disciplined, and have begun to develop a cohesive body of work. Tuition for the semester is paid to Ringling College. Grades received through NYSP become part of the student’s official record at Ringling College. Information and application materials are available through the Office of Advising, Records and Registration Services.

Association of Independent Colleges of Art & DesignAICAD Mobility ProgramRingling College is a member of AICAD’s Mobility Program which provides the opportunity for junior-year, full-time students in good standing, to study for one semester at any one of the following schools:

Alberta College of Art & Design, Calgary, CanadaArt Academy of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OHCleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OHCollege for Creative Studies, Detroit, MIColumbus College of Art & Design, Columbus, OHEmily Carr Institute of Art & Design, Vancouver, BC, CanadaKansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MOLaguna College of Art and Design, Laguna Beach, CALesley University College of Art & Design, Boston MALyme Academy of Fine Arts, Old Lyme, CTMaine College of Art, Portland, MEMaryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MDMassachusetts College of Art, Boston, MAMemphis College of Art, Memphis, TNMilwaukee Institute of Art and Design, Milwaukee, WIMinneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MNMontserrat College of Art, Beverly, MAMoore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia, PANova Scotia College of Art, Halifax, Nova Scotia, CanadaOntario College of Art & Design, Toronto, ON, CanadaOregon College of Art & Crafts, Portland, OROtis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CAPacific Northwest College of Art, Portland, ORPennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, Philadelphia, PARhode Island School of Design, Providence, RISan Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CASchool of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, ILSchool of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MAUniversity of the Arts, Philadelphia, PAWatkins College of Art, Design & Film, Nashville, TN

Mobility is open to students with a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0. Tuition is paid to Ringling College. Other costs are paid to the hosting institution. Grades received become part of the student’s official record at Ringling College.

Studio Art Centers International (SACI), Florence, ItalyA semester or a summer program open to juniors. Ringling College has an affiliation agreement with SACI to provide junior students an opportunity to study and live in Florence, Italy for one semester. SACI course offerings include studio art, design, crafts, art history, art conservation, and Italian culture and language. Housing is provided. The student's academic advisor and department head must approve the proposed course of study. Ringling College students attending the SACI program will remain enrolled as degree-seeking students at RCAD and Pay RCAD's full-time tuition and fees.

Syracuse University, Summer Study Abroad Programs: Barcelona, Spain; Florence, Italy; London, EnglandRingling College has an affiliation agreement with Syracuse University to provide students with visual arts summer programs in Barcelona, Spain; Florence, Italy; and London, England. Students may study art history, glass casting, and pottery in Barcelona; fine arts, metalsmithing, painting, photography, and sculpture in Florence; or art history, photography, and video in London. Students may lodge with host families or share an apartment with other students in the program. Ringling College students attending this program remain enrolled as degree-seeking students at RCAD and pay RCAD's full-time tuition and fees. Grades received become part of the student’s official record at Ringling College.

Information and application materials for all of these programs is available from the Office of Advising, Records, and Registration Services.